PLEASE READ THESE NOTES BEFORE READING THE CHAPTER!:

Hey guys! First of all id like to thank you. This story was received FAR better than I had expected.

Ill be honest with you the main reason I made this account was actually to just post some lemon stories. What should I say? I wanted to write some sexy stuff and never intended to really make a real story here.

Than I started to really get into Persona however and before I knew it I thought up this AU and originally I did think of this just being a collection of one shots. However than something just took over in me and I decided to just make this a full blown story.

So… lucky you :)

Anyway I have a few other questions. When we actually get to the harem forming do you guys want to have lemon scenes in here or on a separate story? Like…. 'Round Two: Lemon scenes'. What would you prefer?

Another anyway, I am glad you liked it, this will become my first full blown story on this account and while I know I'm not the best writer I hope you enjoy!

There are times in a person's live where everything they want to achieve goes according to plan. The job they wanted was a breeze to get, the new car didn't had any problems, a round of poker ended with winning a small fortune and in general live seemed to be almost laughable easy.

Akira Kurusu was not having one of these times.

There are however certain times were seemingly the whole world becomes so crazy that you don't know where up and down is. A time where you are hit by so many twists of fate that you just… don't know what would even be the appropriate response for a sane person.

This was something Akira Kurusu could EASILY identify.

The raw revelations he was being put through in the last hours would all alone possibly make any normal man struggle with making sense of things. But all combined…

It was like… a Nuclear warhead of mindfuckery!

After all… he had undoubtedly the craziest day any human ever had in their entire live. He was as well pretty sure he was not exaggerating.

Finding out that the public all but forgotten your existence was one thing…

Learning of a god planning on imprisoning humanity is even worse.

And said god killing all his friends was what made Akira utterly snap.

Than finding out he was send back in time pushed the shipload of despair aside…

But seeing the same person he last saw dying in a different ship of pride all alive and APOLOGETIC was ultimately just… just… Akira didn't even had words to describe how he felt right now.

Oh and there was also the fact that Goro Akechi, the wildcard destined to oppose him, was a girl.

A… he had to admit… really attractive girl.

Was it any wonder that Akira just couldn't say anything else in return and decided to just go along when Goro asked him to repay him with a meal on her cost?

He didn't think so… and instead only thanked her while ordering his Nostalgic Steak…

…

Even the goddamn FOOD was messing with him.

"Once again I apologize." the voice of MISS Goro Akechi pulled Akira out of his thoughts. "Oh it's… its fine really." Akira weakly reassured her. HER. For the love of… how did this happen? He knew about the first rule of time travel. Change something in the past and it will affect the future, but HOW could it end up changing Goro Akechi's gender!? "Questions for later Akira. For now just try to keep the last of your sanity in check and… play it cool." he reasoned. If he needed to win this second game he needed to approach even the most difficult of situations with a calm mind. This… could be seen as very extreme training.

Goro insisted on paying him back somehow but at Akira's denying of even needing them Goro just decided to pay him back with a meal. Not something he objected, or would have even if his mind wasn't blown by Goro's sudden gender change. The last time he had some cheap instant ramen and hey… might as well dine good if you work towards killing a god.

"Seriously." he continued, "I don't even need these things. They're really just for show. An accessory at best."

Akira was pretty surprised by just how flustered the hardened serial killer in front of him could get by something so trivial.

He, SHE the raven corrected, was even blushing a bit.

"It is still only appropriate for me to pay you back." Goro continued to insist. Akira could only smile in return… which soon turned into a smirk. Oh to hell with all reasoning… as far as he was concerned this whole Planet had already gone to hell. He might as well have some fun with this. "Might be true but…" Akira leaned back in his seat, still smirking at the Detective. "I actually feel the need of paying you back."

"Really?" she asked in confusion, "What for?"

"Well I may get a free meal but I ALSO get the chance to eat with a beautiful girl. I don't see a single downside."

Almost immediately, Akechi blushed slightly and he could see how she tried to decipher if to take it as a joke or serious. Having investigated a person in order to not get assassinated by them really had its perks.

Akira only smiled, "Sorry. Didn't mean to fluster you." he lied, before remembering that this Goro didn't even knew his name yet. "My name is Akira Kurusu by the way."

"Oh…" Goro caught hi-HERSELF (Akira wondered how many times he would mess this up) before returning the smile. "Well Kurusu-san I hope we will get along."

"Oh I am sure we will." "Well as long as you don't put a gun to my head again… or will? Ugh I am already getting a headache." "And you can just call me Akira."

A somewhat comfortable silence followed as they waited for their food. One that his Persona just needed to interrupt. With, what else should it be, a trademark chuckle.

"What is it Arsene?"

"Hahahaha. I simply find it very amusing how this game has already began to change that is all. I must say Goro is quite the sight for sore eyes."

Akira felt the need to argue but had to agree with Lupin. Goro was surprisingly stunning. Soft brown hair that framed her face perfectly, still as long as it was during the first game. Her detective uniform perfectly fitted her body and allowing her, what he guessed to be B or C cups, to bulge out a little but not too much. Some light makeup was applied to her face, likely to make her look more mature. She looked quite… impressive like thi-.

Akira mentally slapped himself, "NO! BAD AKIRA! This isn't the time to be thinking this!"

Arsene's chuckling only grew, "Oh SHUT UP Arsene."

"Now now. There is nothing wrong with recognizing a beautiful woman when you see one."

Akira was actually amazed that he somehow DIDN'T blush. It was what Arsene said next that truly took his attention though.

"Regardless. I hope you know what opportunity presents itself. Perhaps there is a way for you to alter the fate in more ways than you have thought."

"Where are you going with that?"

"I am talking about this young maiden maybe not being doomed to die by the hands of her own fathers cognition of her."

Akira took a moment to process what Arsene implied and was thrown into a shock. Was this true? Could he really prevent Goro's death!?

"We could have been great rivals. Perhaps even friends." Goro once said in a world Akira would not let happen.

"Do you… really think I can do it?"

"You will never know unless you try."

Akira mussed the possibility. Wasn't Akechi already walking down the path of Shido's manipulation? Truth to be told… Goro was the one stain on Akira's soul he couldn't wipe away (before Christmas came that is). He always regretted not being able to help him. Being abandoned, cast out and just having fallen into despair, even while he was fighting Goro's true self with Loki as company… he couldn't help but feel pity for the Detective.

And he knew he would regret to not at least try.

But what could he do? Try and recruit him… well her… to the Thieves? He would have to think deeply about what to do. For now… he could however try and befriend the detective at least.

"Say you said you're name was Goro Akechi?"

"Yeah what about it?"

The raven decided there was no use in hiding EVERYTHING he knew about Goro. After all, the girl was somewhat of a celebrity.

"Does that mean your this detective?"

Surprise shined over her eyes but soon faded. She released a small laugh, "Oh so you've heard about me."

"You were kind of a big deal back in my hometown. It was hard not to hear some things about you. Now that I actually have you in front of me I recognize what I saw."

"Hehe. I am surprised but pleased you heard about me. It is a little embarrassing though."

"Why is this embarrassing? I think your amazing." he said with ease. Ah yes there it was. No matter the gender Goro still was the same. There was this satisfied glint in his (HER for fucks sake! Get it in your head Kurusu!) pretty eyes. That was where Akira aimed for a slightly… different approach. "I wish I could act like you do."

That caught the girl off guard and she blinked repeatedly. "Excuse me?"

"I just think it's pretty cool how you are able to get these adults on TV to take you serious. I am a little bit jealous. It's hard for me to be taken seriously sometimes."

"Yeah detective I am sure no one ever praised your Acting skills did they? Somewhat bizarre since this is what you excel at."

"Oh that's what you saw?" she said with the still present smile. It didn't even looked forced or fake, genuine somewhat. "That's a bit of a surprise to me. You really don't need these glasses don't you Akira?"

"Already told you, their fake. In fact I have quite a good eye sight. It's like I have a third eye." he laughed inwardly at his small pun.

Goro however caught something else attention, "You said back in your hometown. So you're not from here?"

"Why don't you figure it out yourself Detective Princess?"

There was a small predatory look in her eyes now. Oh yes, this really was Goro. For as brief as he knew Akechi Akira could tell the girl enjoyed a challenge as much as the boy from back than did.

"Mmmmmh, let's see. You are definitely not from Tokyo so I assume you were transferred recently, since we met at the Station likely even today. Your uniform is brand new, making a sudden transfer all the more likely. And I don't assume it was for a pretty reason either. We are in the middle of the year and Shujin isn't as fantastic as they pretend to be."

She gave him a wicked smile and leaned forward, staring directly into his eyes. He could see that she knew she was right in every assumption. "What did you do Akira? What got you expelled?"

Akira was honestly amazed. Given that the Detective was using the Metaverse mostly for… her (got it right this time) investigation he didn't expect her to be this good when it comes to actual detective work. Yet she had acted like a predator and bitten out every detail out of her prey. There was this danger around her. Dear god this woman was more dangerous than he had ever thought.

Akira raised his arms in defeat, surrendering to the very pleased detective. "You got me red handed Herlock Sholmes."

"Don't you mean Sherlock Holmes?"

"No I mean the detective who appeared in the stories of Arsene Lupin."

"Ah yes the good Detective. We enjoyed quite a few good games. I am touched you knew about that Trickster."

"What should I say? I was always a fan of Gentleman Thieves."

"True but you DO know that Herlock was originally supposed to be Sherlock right? The only change that was made is his name."

"Touché detective."

"Oh I am liking this Goro."

"Okay but seriously, what did you do? I mean… why would your parents just let you get send into the biggest City in Japan?"

Akira couldn't supress his frown over the mention of his parents. "My parents where happy to get rid of me." As much as Akira hated to say it Sojiro nailed it when he first told him. The venom in his voice was enough to kill a small elephant. "As for what I did, I can tell you I am not the bad guy here. When I walked home from school one day I saw a guy who was clearly drunk, trying to force a woman into his car. She was crying and screaming, begging for someone to help her. I couldn't just stand by and leave her to her fate."

He let out a small growl, his hands forming into fists, knuckles turning white. No matter how many time has passed he would never forget that moment. In a way it was the beginning of his career as a Phantom Thief. He decided to not just walk away and stood up to the bastard of a Politician and he would do so again. Even if it ended up ruining his future.

"I ran up to them and pushed the drunk asshole away from her. He, in all the drunk rage, threw a punch at me and missed, causing him to trip on me. Next thing I knew the Police are there and arrest ME. Turns out the drunk was some sort of politician who has and I quote: 'The police as his bitches.' He forced the woman I defended to testify against me and now here I am, stuck in Tokyo with a criminal record, casted out and disowned by his parents and no chance of getting any decent job should I somehow manage through this year. Seriously… the World would be better without these kind of rotten adults." Akira gave a dry laugh, before looking back to Akechi, who had seen a small glimpse of his rage. She looked pretty shocked and somewhat empathetic.

"Yeah you know all about adults screwing you over don't you Crow? Hell even the adult is the same for us."

"I am very sorry to hear that. That the justice system failed so much in your case because of one man's corruption is sad, especially considering that I am part of said system."

Akira waved reassuringly, forcing the rage directed at Shido and the one who chose him down. "It's fine, its not like you were the drunk guy or the cops… or the judge. Well anyway sorry for letting that all out on you. This isn't something you just talk about with someone you just met."

"Oh no its fine. No need to be sorry. I deal with crime on a daily basis. As such… I can believe you. I know a criminal when I see one and you seem to me like a good person, a Samaritan even. Sadly it is not exactly uncommon for the corrupt to get away with their crimes. Say… you don't know by any chance which politician it was?"

She added the last question fairly nonchalant. Or at least tried to. Given what he already knew about her, this did surprise Akira. Why would Goro want to know his name? Wait… she wasn't planning on going into his palace right? Why would she plan that for someone she just met? Except if… were they already getting this close? Akira did have the gift of getting to know people quick but this was even for him a new record. Or could it be that Akechi was just that lonely and thought she needed to offer help? He would think about that more later. What would be the best thing to do now though?

He should probably lie. Getting Shido already involved could only end badly. There was a long list of people to go through first. So he shook his head in lie, "Sadly no. It was dark and everything happened really fast. But I appreciate the sentiment. You don't need to bother with it however. I AM angry yeah but hey I didn't get into prison. And… I am actually glad to be out of my hometown."

"Your parents?"

"Yep. Not exactly easy to live with them after all that."

"I… can relate to that actually."

Another surprise so soon in their meeting. Was Goro already opening up? She must have realized it to for the small window to her soul already closed the next moment. Akira took it with ease. He planned on saving the girl, no need to unveil all their secrets in the first meeting just yet. He could however at least remind her that it is okay if she ever would want to voluntarily talk. "Than perhaps you could tell me another time?"

The girl perked up, clearly stunned. "Another time?"

"Yeah well," Akira took a sip of his drink, "I don't want to let this be a onetime thing. I actually really enjoy your company Herlock."

She stopped for a brief second. A second was all it took for Akira to see the small glimpse of her true self. The scarred child who had it just as rough as the rest of the Thieves. The moment faded into the past and instead, she was smiling at him and raising her own glass. "It is Sherlock and I do enjoy your company too Akira."

The rest of the meal was spend chatting on topic much less intense. It was quite a sight to see Goro be so… flourishing? Maybe that word described it best. Back than the Detective was always so on edge. There was always this barrier, not only the fact that she had planned to betray them, between them. Here with who she had thought to be just some random stranger, she spoke freely and undeterred about things she enjoyed and certain hobbys. Of what a pain it was to appear on TV and have the mask never be satisfied with your make up and not let you just apply it yourself. Akira even found out that Goro had a blog of her own, something she was pushed to do by some higher-ups. Likely to make some connection between the celebrity and her fans. Goro made it clear just how much she was annoyed by having to make this and how she often just didn't know what to talk about. Sometimes she would just recommend certain books or just give a brief update about her day. Lately she grew to be interested in Music and was decoding the meaning of certain lyrics as if to give her fans something and shut up the ones who want to turn her into an idol instead of a detective. Something she made clear to despise to.

After quite some time has passed, Goro had remained true to her word and payed for Akira's meal. The two left the restaurant where Akira still accompanied the detective to her bicycle, her number having been stored in his cellphone. "I must say Akira it really is easy to talk with you. I don't remember the last time I was able to just let myself talk so freely."

"The pleasure is all mine Princess. I honestly was done with the World when I came here but this was a surprising good start."

She laughed a bit, before Akira noticed a small frown, "Say… you will have to introduce yourself tomorrow to the school right? Does that mean you will be going by train?"

There was some hesitation in her voice that Akira couldn't quite sort out. It hit him as hard as a rockslide when he connected the dots however. He completely forgot about the subway accident!

Akechi must have planned that for some time. He couldn't let that happen. With every order Goro made for Shido she will become more and more likely to end up behind the watertight door.

"How do I stop this?" Akira wondered, something that the detective thankfully interpreted as trying too hard to remember crucial details.

He could invade the Palace? No that's impossible. He didn't even knew the name of the guy who got a mental shutdown! And he would have to fight Akechi all by himself. Akira didn't even knew how strong he currently was or if he still had the power that granted him victory over the Holy Grail.

Ask Akechi somehow not to do it? Yeah right… how could he do that without giving away that he comes from the future!? Besides they weren't on good enough terms yet for Akira to completely cut the strings that made Akechi obedient to Shido.

A sense of helplessness gnawed at the Trickster. This couldn't be the end. He had to have SOME way to stop her. Sadly he didn't. Despite it being his second chance he was too late. Damn it all.

Well, on the bright side nobody died in the train accident. The worker responsible only lost his job.

"I plan to." Akira finally replied. Goro's eyes widened a little. Her mask shifting before she managed to put it back. She… was actually worried about him. Akira felt strangely good about this. He decided however to not torture the Detective. "Or well I planned to but my Guardian decided he drives me for one day so no. Why do you ask? Do you want to meet up or something?"

"…Yes exactly. I figured if you have the time we could go from Shujin to go somewhere. I have a tight schedule and it's rare to make some time free."

"And you want to spend it with me?"

She gave a sly smile. "You are at the very least better to be around than all the other jerks at the department Mister Lupin."

Akira returned it. Spending time was good, it made it more likely to save the girl in front of him. Besides there were a few places he needed to visit. "In this case I happily met up with you Miss Holmes."

I am thou, thou art I... Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Justice Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

The Tarot card of the Justice Arcana shone forth from sheer darkness, a picture of Akira on it, before fading away as if it was never there.

Akechi blinked in confusion. "What on earth?"

"Something wrong?"

She perked up at the worried expression of the boy. "Oh it's nothing really. I just… heard something that's all."

They spend a bit more time talking before Goro reluctantly departed. As soon as she was out of eye sight, she kept herself asking multiple questions.

"What just happened? Where did that voice come from?"

"From the sea of souls milady."

"WOAH!" Goro shrieked, almost falling from her bike as even ANOTHER voice was now present. This one coming directly from her mind! "What the… Loki what the hell is going on in there!?"

"I don't know Boss! This guy just appeared here out of thin air!"

"Fear not my friends. I am not here to cause any harm. Quite the opposite actually."

"Who the hell are you!? Wait… are you behind that strange thing that just happened?"

"I am not responsible for the bond you forged, but I am a product of your first true connection."

"Connection? Wait… you mean with Kurusu?"

"Yeah I think he means the boy. Who the hell are you and what do you want?"

"What I want isn't what matters, yet I shall answer truthfully. I simply want to aid our dear Maiden in the trials that are bound to come. And as for who I am… you may call me Robin Hood."

"Hey Arsene?"

"Yes Akira?"

"Am I allowed to freak out now? Cause I have been holding this whole thing back the second I saw her."

"I… assume so…"

"Good."

And with that broke any control Akira had while he screamed into a nearby trashcan as Akechi was out of eye sight.

"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!?"

"Akira."

"HE IS A GIRL!"

"Akira!"

"HE IS A GODDAMN GIRL! WHAT KIND OF TIME TRAVEL DID I MAKE!?"

"AKIRA!"

"WHAT!?"

"We… will figure… this out!"

Akira forced himself to come down from his high and put his head into his hands, rubbing his temples.

"This is so insane."

"I know my friend but you need to collect yourself."

Akira breathed in deeply a few times, making his heart stop racing so rapidly. "Arsene I… holy fuck what is even happening?"

"I don't know Akira. All I know is your time travel adventure is promising to be QUITE an interesting one."

"You don't say?"

Walking to the Café gave Akira a good amount of time to properly collect his thoughts. So Goro Akechi was a girl. That's… new.

Ugh… he had no idea how to feel about the whole situation know that he didn't need to act anymore. How did this happen?

He knew he was asking this question for the hundredth time but he still didn't had any answer.

Thoughts about the sudden sex change drifted away however when he finally arrived in the oh so familiar corner of Tokyo.

His first stop wasn't the Café though. It was the real estate of Sojiro. Akira simply stood outside the house for a while. Right this second, Futaba likely had a panic attack. She was probably still thinking she didn't deserve to live. These thoughts tore his heart apart. The hacker and he had been very close and he couldn't stand to have her suffer like this. He tried to reassure himself, it was only for a small time. He and the others would save her soon enough. In... July? Crap he needed to write down what dates he could remember. Better to not leave anything up to chance.

The street down was Takemis clinic too. She likely still worked on a medicine for the girl.

This was were something began to truly dawn on Akira. He was the only one to remember. Ann, Ryuji, all his friends and confidants were unaware of their adventures.

He sighed, his heart now heavier than before. This was going to be a challenging year.

Deciding he had seen enough he turned back and walked into Leblanc where he was greeted by Sojiro Sakura. Oh how good it felt to see his face again. The man had become something of a father for him in the time where the Attic became his cherished home.

He took care of some customers, complaining about how little they ordered once they were gone, before turning to him.

"So you're the guy?"

Akira was taken aback but remembered why Sojiro was so cold in his tone and giving him the 'don't fuck with me' look. At this moment he was still just some punk to him. That likely wouldn't change anytime soon.

Well there was no reason to not try and start things of well this time around. "Yes that's me. It's nice to meet you Boss."

Sojiro raised an eyebrow. "So you've heard about my nickname already? Well good than. Come I show you you're room."

He was lead the stairs up into the attic…

The dirty attic full with cobwebs and trash.

He almost forgot about that…

Goddammit.

Still… knowing what this place could turn into… it made Akira strangely happy. "You look like you want to say something."

"It's perfect." Akira said, something that Sojiro definitely didn't expect. He could hear the old man chuckle, "Well good that you don't have high standards. I already cleaned up the most. The rest is up to you."

"Now than… I got the gist of your situation. You poked your nose into the matter of adults and injured a man in the process."

Okay THAT he needed to correct. "Actually I saw a man forcing himself on a woman on my way home. I intervened and pushed him away and because he tripped on me he decided to sue me."

Sojiro raised an eyebrow. Yeah they REALLY needed to work on the trust didn't they?

After some more talking Sojiro eventually left Akira alone in the attic, leaving him to clean up and later went home to, likely visit Futaba.

This got him thinking… did Futaba know at this point about him? Did she maybe made a background check? He would have to ask her once they deal with her depression.

When he was done he actually managed to clean up the whole attic. Having done this before he was a bit quicker on his feet and knew what to do first. At least no more cleaning later. And interestingly his shoulders weren't aching. So… was he as fit as he was on Christmas? Did he really still had his usual strength?

He at least hoped so. Deciding that there was nothing else for now to do he went to bed, there were a lot of questions in need of answering.

When he opened his eyes he wasn't any more in his small attic home. Instead… he was in a place he instinctually knew about. Blue walls around him… but no chains.

Instead he came face to face with two beings…

The first one a girl, holding a Book, smiling at him with the intensity of a sun.

And the other an old gentleman, who spoke in a tone as sweet as honey.

"Welcome Trickster."

Akira couldn't hold back the sheer relief and joy. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you two."

And our favorite nose is still in charge!

Yep as you can see Lavenza and Igor ar both still kicking and ready to aid our Thief in the Second Round of the game.

Also I admit I may have rushed the part were Akira met Sojiro but… well we all saw a lets play or played the game. I don't see any reason to hold myself up with scenes we had already seen a dozen times over. So I try and do these quickly so we can focus on the really important things and the scenes I remake and of course the interactions with Akiras friends, confidants and the ladies..

I aswell hope you liked what I did with Goro in this chapter. And yes Robin Hood awakened because of her bonding with Akira. A headcanon that I got after reading a short fanfiction with that idea. The one who made it actually follows this story :). You know who you are.

Anyway… I hope you all liked it and I see you in the next chapter.